Combined roll-paper holder



(No Model.)

I G. R. WILLIAMSON, COMBINED ROLL PAPER HOLDER, CUTTER, STAMPER, AND MEASURER.

"Patented Aug Attorney N PETERS. Pholo-Lilhagvaphcn Wfllhinglan. n. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT 4 OFFICE.

CHARLES R. WILLIAMSON, OF KANSAS CITY, ASSIGNOR TO THE AMERICAN ROLL-PAPER COMPANY, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

COMBINED ROLL-PAPER HOLDER, CUTTER, STAMPER, AND MEASURER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 408,563, dated August 6, 1889.

Application iiled August 3, 1888. Serial No. 281,852. (No model.)

T0 at whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, CHARLES R. WILLIAM- SON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Kansas City, in the county of Jackson and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Combined Roll- Paper Holder, Cutter, Stamper, and Measurer andI do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to an improvement in combined roll-paper holder, cutter, Stamper, and measurer.

The object is to provide a paper cutter which will admit of paper of all grades being conveniently stamped, measured, and cut off without delay and 'by the use of one hand.

A further object is to provide a cutter of the above character which shall consist of few parts and capable of being manipulated by any one.

With these ends in view my invention consists in certain features of construction and combinations of parts, as will be hereinafter described,'and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a view of the cutter in front elevation, with stamp and measure in position for use, the roll, of paper being suspended from above. Fig. 2 is aview taken transversely through the roll of paper, the roll being supported between standards secured to a movable base. Fig. 3 shows a modified form of end clamp. Figs. 4 and 5 are modifications.

A represents a roll of paper loosely mounted on a spindle a, or it might be secured to the spindle and the spindle caused to rotate therewith in. end bearings. As represented in Fig. 1, the roll is suspended from the ceiling of the room or-counter or from any suitable hanger or frame by a U-shaped support B, the free ends of the branches of which are provided with open eyes I) to form bearings for the ends of the spindle a. The eyes 17 are not, however, necessarily made open, as shown, and as considered most convenient; but the spindle may be inserted lengthwise through them and held in position by nuts a, or the U shaped support B, if made of spring metal, might be readily sprung over the ends of the spindle. Between the branches of the support 13 the end clamp and brake is secured.

It consists of a lower bar or jaw C, having its ends loosely engaged with the branches of the support B, so as to admit of its being freely slid therein toward and away from the roll, and so that gravity alone will tend to hold it normally in contact with the face of the roll, and an upper bar or jaw D, similarly secured to the branches of the support B and adapted to slide up and down on the branches either with or independently of the bar or jaw C.

The lower jaw or bar C is provided with a 6 5' knife E, which projects forwardly therefrom and has an upwardly-curved cutting-edge 6, preferably of the well-known saw-tooth construction, but may be made smooth where found desirable. The knife E is secured to the lower bar or jaw C as a convenient and simple construction, whereby the knife may retain at all times the same relative position to the paper to be out. It might, however, be loosely secured to the branches of the supp0rt.B in any-welhknown manner and move together with the jaw C.

The end of the paper to be severed from the roll is led from the roll between the jaws C and D and thence over the edge of the knife. In order to support the end F to be grasped by the fingers, it is found desirable to construct the meeting faces 0 and d of the jaws C and D slanting, so as to project the end of the paper on an upward incline or to give the front edge of the lower jaw an upward curve, as shown at c, Fig. Thus, to draw the paper out to be cut off, lift slightly on the paper and at the same time draw on it. This will tend to lift the upper jaw D from the lower jaw, the pressure on the lower jaw will be removed, and the roll will turn freely and pay out the paper. WVhen a sufficient length has been drawn out, bring it down over the edge of the knife. This will cause the jaws C and D to settle by the force of gravity onto the surface of the roll, thereby putting on brakes and stopping the roll, and

at the same time severing the paper along the knife-edge. The portion of the paper between the knife-edge and the jaws C and D will then spring up away from the knife into position to be conveniently grasped again.

' To facilitate the stamping of the paper with name of the dealer, as is common, or for printing thereon any matter which may be found desirable, the upper bar or jaw D is provided with an opening G, through which the plunger h of a stamp H (a rubber stamp, for example) is adapted to pass. The stamp is secured in position on the jaw and the plunger is provided with a retracting -spring, as is common, so that when struck by the hand and forced through the opening G into contact with the paper it will promptly return to its normal position.

The stamp may be operated just before the paper is drawn out, the lower jaw C forming a good bed-piece for supporting the paper while the latter is being stamped.

To further render the cutter valuable and increase its efficiency in saving the undue waste of expensive paper without materially hindering the operation of the cutter, a springactuated tape-measure Z is supported either on the jaw D or upon a suitable bracket attached to the support B, so that its end will be in a position to be grasped by the fingers simultaneously with the end of the paper, thereby causing the tape-measure to be drawn out with the paper and the exact length desired determined at a glance. As soon as the length is determined the measure may be released and will be wound by its spring, and the paper may then be severed.

As shown in Fig. 2, the roll may be suspended between standards corresponding to the branches of the support B and set in a base K, mounted on casters to be rolled along the counter into position for use. It is intended to furnish the cutter in all sizes and of various grades, plain and ornamental, to suit the various demands of the public.

In the modified form shown in section, Fig. 4, the roll of paper is represented as suspended in bracket-supports S, and the jaws T and t, which perform the functions of jaws O and D in the other forms shown, are constructed as follows: A wire frame IV is hinged in any suitable manner to the wall or other support, and the jaw T is secured between its branches over the roll of paper. The jaw 25 is secured to the ends of a wire frame w, which may or may not be a spring-frame. The frame 20 is attached to the frame IV, so that the jawt will rest above the jaw T. The front edge of the jaw T is turned upwardly to give the end of the paper an upward slant.

The branches of the frame \V project forwardly over the roll of paper and have a cutter ssecured to theirends. The said branches may or may not be curved downwardly and outwardly, since in some instances, where the paper is held far enough above the cutter to be easily grasped, a straight form would be practicable, but where there is not sufficient room it would be advisable to have them bent, as shown.

The weight of the frame NV and the parts connected therewith forms a brake on the roll, and the pressure of the jaw If, either by gravity or spring, holds the end of the paper.

It is also found desirable in many instances to employ one long cutter for several rolls of paper of different widths. The form shown in Fig. 5 represents a construction of the cutter for this purpose. It consists of two or more standards U, which support along spindle it, upon which the rolls of different widths are mounted.

The single long cutter u is here supported at a distance above the roll, either by the upward extension of the standards U or upon the counter or other suitable support. The end-holding jaws D and C are here as in the other forms employed, and the stamp and measure may also be employed.

The jaws D C may be pressed together either by spring or gravity, as hereinbefore stated. This construction admits of placing the rolls of paper under the counter or in the room adjoining or below and leading the paper through suitable openings to the end holder and cutter. As one roll might be used more rapidly than another, the end holderand cutter could not well act as a brake, and it might be advisable to employ a spring, as u", for that purpose.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In combination, a roll of paper, a pair of clamping-jaws between which the paper is fed, the said jaws forming at the same time a brake to stop the unrolling of the paper, and a knife, substantially as set forth.

2. In combination, a roll of paper, a pair of clamping-jaws having a free movement toward and away from the surface of the roll, both together and independently, and aknife secured to one of the jaws, substantially as set forth.

3. In co1nbination,aroll of paper jouriialed between two supports, a lower clamping-jaw loosely secured to the supports to move freely to ward and away from the roll, a knife secured to the lower jaw, an upper jaw secured to the support to slide freely toward and away from the lower jaw, the front edge of the lower jaw being above the face of the jaw back of itto give the end of the paper an upward cant, substantially as set forth.

4:. The herein-described end holder and clamp for paper-cutters, consisting of a pair of jaws having a free lateral movement relatively to the paper and to each other, substantially as set forth.

5. In combination, a roll of paper, a pair of end supports for the roll, a pair of jaws secured to the end supports and having a free movement toward and away from the roll, and a knife, the said jaws being actuated toward the roll by gravity to form a clamp for the end of the paper and a brake for the roll, substantially as set forth.

6. In combination, a roll of paper suitably suspended, a knife to sever the paper,aknifesupport bearing on the roll of paper, and a stamp supported in proximity to the paper, substantially as set forth.

7. In combination, a roll of paper suitably suspended, an end clamp and feed supported above and in proximity to the roll, a knife, and a stamp supported upon the end clamp and feed in position to imprint the paper on the roll, substantially as set forth.

8. Ineombination, a roll of paper suitably suspended, an end clamp and feed supported in proximity to the roll, a knife, and a tapemeasure' supported with its end normally in proximity to the end of the paper, substantially as set forth.

9. In combination, a roll of paper suitably suspended, a knife to sever the paper, a stamp to imprint the paper, and a tape-measure to indicate the length to be severed, arranged substantially as set forth.

10. The combination, with a roll of paper, of a knife supported above the roll, the knife exerting its Weight upon the roll, the edge of the knife being in position to sever the paper as the same is drawn across it at an abnormal angle, and a guide for conducting the paper over the edge of the knife, said guide formed by a portion of the knife-support and a movable part located above the knife-support, substantially as set forth.

11. The combination, with a roll of paper, of a knife and a pair of clamping-jaws, the latter forming an end-holder to retain the end of the paper in position to be drawn into engagement with the edge of the knife, substan= tially as set forth.

In testimony whereof Ihave affixed my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

CHARLES R. WILLIAMSON.

Witnesses:

BEssIE E. YOUNG, EVA WVATsoN. 

